Author's note – Goodness knows that it has been over a year since I updated this. The plans on updating this over the Christmas Holiday honestly failed.

Christmas Nightmare
~Twisting Fate~

When Ichigo stuck his head out of the door asking what was going on, he couldn't help but notice the look on the small taicho's face. The boy glanced over at the substitute shinigami, his teal eyes taken a bit off guard for some reason. The orange haired teen watched the two for a few minutes and then spoke up. "What ever it is, you don't need to answer."

Hitsugaya simply stared at him, his expression not changing at first. He then shook his head at the physically older boy. "It is nothing to worry about really. Actually, it is something hard to explain. I'll say it is a family issue, something I need to work through." He then paused for a few seconds. "I found out that Ise Nanao is my godmother."

At that, Ichigo found himself staring at the small taicho, his brown eyes taking in the look on the child's face, which remained particularly emotionless, but had that rare glint of happiness that would manage to show through. "So… how is it possible that she can be your godmother? I mean, this isn't something that Gin knows about, is it?"

"Oh, he knows." Ise's tone turned dark suddenly. "I was very upfront with him that I won't put up with nonsense from either him or Rangiku when it comes to what is best for Hitsugaya Taicho."

"I see." The substitute shinigami then scratched his head. "No… I don't see. How can you be Toshiro's godmother when Rangiku doesn't know that he's her son and I have my honest doubts that Ichimaru would have asked you. This makes little sense at all."

"It is complicated, Kurosaki." Toshiro's mouth suddenly twisted up in mirth. "Technically, Ise Nanao isn't my godmother, but she is because of something Mat… my mother said to her some time ago. Does it really have to make any sense?"

"If you don't mind it not making sense, then I guess it doesn't." Ichigo piped up. He glanced at the outside door, frowning as he did so. "I think what matters most in this situation is what you think and feel about the whole thing. Nothing more, nothing less."

At that, the small taicho paused for a few seconds, glancing at the ground as he did so. He then spoke up, his words coming out slowly. "All I have ever really wanted in life was a place to belong. I wanted to know that people wanted me. I honestly don't feel as if I have that coming from Ichimaru and Matsumoto. However, I think that there are a few other people who have shown they care."

The orange haired teen shook his head. "I can honestly tell you though, Toshiro… it isn't going to feel the same as knowing that they accept and care about you."

Suddenly, the two males found their heads darting up at a loud sound while Ise glanced up rather calmly. Rukia came hurtling around the corner, Jinta on her tail trying to talk to her, only to pause and turn heal when he noticed a very livid look from the child captain of the Gotei Thirteen. The small female shinigami held out the bag to Toshiro. "The items you wished to buy."

"How much to I owe you, Kuchiki-san?" Hitsugaya asked, taking the bag from her and glancing into the bag.

"Nothing. I told you before that I owed you one." The small female shook her head.

"Wait… I thought that purchasing these for me while I came to talk to Ukitake Taicho and Ise-san was enough." Two teal eyes blinked in confusion.

"I said some things I shouldn't about a superior in front of another superior that constitute an embarrassing situation. I do owe you this, Hitsugaya Taicho." Her violet eyes watched as his head tilted down.

Ichigo piped up suddenly. "Plus, we consider you a friend Toshiro."

"You are only making things worse." The white haired youth sighed. "Doesn't he get the fact that if we're simply friends that purchasing them for me would have been enough?"

Rukia however switched to her stubborn mode, her voice becoming monotone and insistent. "If I say you don't have to pay me back for them, you don't have to pay me back for them. I would feel bad if you did."

"If that's the case, then I'll go with it." The small body though flinched, finding himself in a particular situation he didn't wish to be in. On one side, it was polite to pay the other shinigami back, but on the other, it was also polite to listen to someone's wishes. And of course, the latter for some reason won out, despite the fact it felt weird.

"How about you and Ichimaru come over this afternoon?" The substitute shinigami suddenly piped up, catching everyone else off guard. "Yuzu and Karin are preparing the baked goodies for the party in a couple of days. I'm not allowed in the kitchen, but maybe, just maybe they'll let you in."

Toshiro stared at the orange haired teen for a few minutes, his cheeks suddenly flushing slightly. "Kurosaki… if they don't let males into the kitchen, they won't let males in, end of story."

"Still…" Rukia paused for a few minutes. "If Ichigo insists that you two should come over… despite the fact I distrust that man, then you should come over. It is the holiday season, and it honestly isn't fun to be spending it alone."

"What about your brother?" The small taicho asked quickly.

"He is still working on paperwork and told me that he will join us at the actual Christmas party."

"I see…" Hitsugaya glanced at the ground. "I guess… I guess I will then go. I'll try to bring Ichimaru with me, but I can't control that man. He's not someone you can easily read."

"We'd best be going." Ichigo smirked at the small taicho. "Try to have fun Toshiro."

"It's Hitsugaya Taicho. How many times am I going to have to tell you?" The boy captain muttered, shaking his head.

After they had left, Nanao piped up. "It is going to take until you get the fact that he honestly wishes to treat you as a friend and equal."

"It's a game between the two of us." Toshiro let out a deep sigh. "I should have said it earlier though." Confusion spread across his face though when he saw the rather perturbed look on Nanao's face. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No. Just… think about the fact that Ichimaru has always liked playing mental games with people. It was just a bit unsettling thinking about that." Ise headed back into the room that Ukitake and Ichimaru were in.

"I pick and choose my battles so they are aimed at people who wish to play the games. They aren't fun otherwise." As Toshiro turned from her to go and sit next to the other two males, he missed the look of frustration on her face, as if she noted something but didn't wish to say what was on her mind, lest she bother the child with what she had to say.

Instead, she spoke up. "The substitute shinigami invited Hitsugaya Taicho and Ichimaru over to his house this afternoon." Looking straight at the short, silver haired man, she continued. "I suggest going. The two of you need bonding time."

"I'm not sure if that is such a good idea." Gin titled his head at the female, that obstinate smirk on his face.

At that, Nanao turned towards the small taicho. "Do you think blackmail of me telling Matsumoto before he is ready will work?"

The small taicho's face suddenly twisted up, his mouth forming a round circle from the surprise. Ichimaru though snapped his words out, his smile having faltered. "Yes, yes… that kind of threat will work. I will go. Just don't tell Rangiku. I'm going to tell her soon so that you can't hold this one over my head."

"I'll find something else. I've found out your weakness Ichimaru Gin."

"And that would be?" The small taicho spoke up, curiosity in his voice, at which Ukitake suddenly laughed.

The taicho of the thirteenth division let out a laugh. "I think she was trying to say that you're his weakness."

"Yeah right." The small taicho shook his head at them just as Ichimaru began to move from his sitting position and snatched the small bag from the taicho.

"I see that you got Christmas presents." Gin's nose buried itself into the bag. He then spoke up again. "I was thinking about going anyways. I wanted to see your girlfriend."

At that, Hitsugaya found his own face faltering, realization hitting him that Ichimaru meant someone in particular. His face flushed a deep red and he found himself blurting out from frustration. "She is not my girlfriend! I also do not have a crush on her!"

Ukitake simply raised an eyebrow and then headed towards the door. "Well, I see that the two of you are busy. We honestly should be going, because the two of you do indeed need some good honest bonding time. Try not to kill each other. I'll be in Soul Society, so I won't be able to stop you."